In a bid to effectively discharge its mandate, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission now wants its budgetary allocation to be increased by Sh700 million.
Requesting the Sh702,531,854, CEO Twalib Mbarak regretted that despite the role it plays in the protection of the government's revenue, EACC remains underfunded.
“We are having a rough time when it comes to our budget. This is not just about the extra funds we are looking for but about the budget already allocated," he said.
"There are severe cash flow challenges from the treasury which are affecting our operations. The exchequer delays are hindering prompt enforcement actions and disruption of corruption matters."
He spoke during a joint forum of EACC and the National Assembly’s Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs in Naivasha.
Mbarak emphasised the urgent need for the Commission's institutional capacity in terms of budgetary allocation and human resources, to be enhanced.
This, he said, will help address the current challenges of delays in the finalisation of corruption cases.
He noted that among the issues that a budgetary allocation will address includes the prompt employment of some 600 experts.
Among them will be technical staff, including lawyers, forensic investigators, valuers, surveyors and accountants among others, to address the escalating challenge of corruption in the country.
At the same time, chairperson David Oginde urged the National Assembly to amend the law to allow EACC to retain part of the money it recovers from corruption.
This will be aimed at addressing the current budgetary deficits that he said are adversely affecting the Commission’s capacity to deal with the emerging corruption cases in both national and county governments.
Currently, the law requires all monies recovered to be channelled to the Consolidated Fund.
"EACC is asking MPs to amend Section 56 of the Anti-Corruption and Anti-Corruption Act, 2003 to allow the EACC to retain a percentage of what it recovers," he said.
The forum is meant to help the National Assembly's JLAC to understand from EACC, the obstacles hindering meaningful progress in the fight against corruption.
It also seeks to know what institutional support the Commission requires to address the vice.
The judiciary is also represented.
